On another day, explore this hidden beach tucked behind the ridge rising beyond the north edge of Melaque. The dark fine-sand beach arcs along a cove on the rampart-rimmed big blue Bahía de Coastecomate (kooah-stay-koh-MAH-tay). Its very gentle waves and clear waters make for excellent swimming, sailboarding, snorkeling, and fishing from the beach itself or the rocks beneath the adjacent cliffs. A number of palapa restaurants along the beach serve seafood and drinks.

The Coastecomate beachside village itself, home to a number of local fisherfolk and a few North Americans in permanently parked RVs, has a collection of oft-empty bungalows on the hillside, a small store, and about three times as many chickens as people.

To get there, drive, taxi, or bus via the local minibus or Transportes Cihuatlán to the signed Melaque turnoff from Highway 200. There, a paved side road marked Hotel Real Costa Sur heads northwest into the hills, winding for two miles (3.2 km) over the ridge through pasture and jungle woodland to the village. If you’re walking, allow an hour and take your sun hat, insect repellent, and water.